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desired vertical spaced relationship within the display counter.

After the several channel members have been properly secured inposition, more particularly to the partition of the counter, it isdesirable to pass a power drill through the aligned holes 13 in thechannel members disposed on opposite sides of the partition 11 to formholes 16 therein adapted to receive anchoring means for releasablyretaining the several supporting blocks 15 properly positioned withinthe channel members 10.

It should be noted at this time, referring more particularly to Figs. 6and 7 that the several supporting blocks 15 each include a centrallydisposed horizontal aperture 17 extending through the block 15. One endof the horizontal aperture 17 terminates in a flared or chamfered mouth1S; while the other end of the horizontal aperture 17 terminates in anut-receiving recess 19.

Referring more particularly to the left hand portion of Fig. 2, it willbe noted that a stove bolt provides the anchoring means for releasablyretaining a pair of supporting blocks 15 in selected position ofvertical adjustment in the channel members 16 disposed on opposite sidesof the partition 11. It should also be noted at this time that thesupporting blocks 15 are applied within the channel members 10 in amanner such that the desired recess 18 or 19 lies outermost. After theselected elevation for any given tray support is chosen, a supportingblock is applied to a stove bolt 20 by passing the same through theaperture 17 in the block 15 so that the head of the bolt will lie in themouth 18 of the aperture 17; the end of the bolt 20 is then passedthrough the aligned holes 13 through the hole 16 in the partition 11until its forward end is disposed within the channel 10 with thesupporting block 15 on its head end disposed within the connes of itscooperating channel member 10. A similar supporting block 15 is thenapplied to the projecting end of the stove bolt 20 in a manner such thatthe nut-receiving recess 19 is outermost. A nut 21 is then applied tothe end of the stove bolt 20 and is drawn into the recess by tighteningthe bolt 20 using a screw driver. In this way the supporting blocks 15are releasably retained in tight position within their respectivechannel members 10. Referring more particularly to the right handportion of Fig. 2, it will be noted that the supporting block 15 thereinshown is secured in proper position by the application of a screw 22.Here again the chamfered recess 13 is outermost as the block 15 isapplied between the anges 14 of the channel member 10 so as to provide ailush seating for the head of the screw 22 which forms the anchoringmeans for the supporting block 15.

After the several supporting blocks 15 have been properly located andanchored in their respective channel members 10, care being taken thatthe individual supporting blocks of each set lie in a common horizontalplane, the several tray supporting rods or tubes 23 which are pre-cut toproper length whereby they may readily be positioned between oppositepairs of channel members 10 with their ends resting on the top surfacesof the aligned supporting blocks 15. The ilanges 14- of each of thechannel members 10 serve to retain the rods or tubes 23 against lateraldisplacement and at the same time, the flanges 14 of the severalchannels 10 afford adequate protection against contact between the edgesof trays T and the wall 12 or partition 11 of the counter to thus avoidmarking or marring of the interior nish of the counter.

The several rods or tubes 23 provide adequate support for the trays andalso permit their easy positioning in and removal from the counter.

In the event that the supporting structure of the present invention isintended to be used as a shelf support, the rods or tubes 23 may beeliminated as indicated in Figs. 8 and 9 wherein shelves 24 aresupported directly on the top surfaces of the supporting blocks 15. Ininstances where shelves 24 are mounted directly on the supporting blocks15 suitable sawcuts 25 may be made in the ends ot' the shelves 24 tocooperate with the flanges 14 of the channel members 10 to preventaccidental displacement of the shelves on the supporting blocks 15 or toprevent relative lateral movement between the shelf and the channelmembers. Figs. 8 and 9 illustrate the use of pairs of channel members 10arranged in back-to-back abutting relationship to serve as a partitionbetween the ends of adjacent shelves.

From the foregoing detailed description of the present invention it willreadily be understood that a simple and effective supporting structurehas been provided for trays or shelves which permits the ready removalof the trays or shelves to permit the clearing of the counter or case tofacilitate its easy cleaning and likewise the structure lends itself toquick reassembly so that the counter may be dressed with a minimum ofeffort.

The structure of the present invention also aords protection against themarring of the interior finish of the display counter through theoperation of the flanges 14 on the channel members 10 which preventcontact between the edges of the trays and the wall of the counter.

Another marked advantage of the present shelf supporting structureresides in the fact that it is devoid of projecting portions and thusfacilitates ready cleaning of the counter in a thorough manner withouthaving the cleaning cloths or the hands caught upon sharp or projectingsurfaces.

While the invention has been described in considerable detail in theforegoing specification, it is to be understood that various changes maybe made in its embodiment without departing from or sacrificing any ofthe advantages hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

l. A tray or shelf supporting Structure comprising a vertically disposedU-shaped channel member including a flat base portion provided with aseries of vertically aligned spaced holes and a pair of parallel sideflanges, a supporting block for reversible selective positioning betweenthe side flanges of said channel member, said supporting block includingone face adapted for contact with the base of said channel member, apair of sides disposed adjacent said flanges to precluded rotarymovement of said block in said channel, an aperture extending throughsaid supporting block from front to rear thereof, a nut receiving recessat one extremity of said aperture, and a flared recess disposed at theopposite extremity of said aperture, and anchoring means being receivedthrough said aperture and a selected hole in the base of said channelmember for releasably retaining said channel member and said supportingblock in associated relationship.

2. A tray or shelf supporting structure comprising a vertically disposedU-shaped channel member including a flat base portion provided with aseries of vertically aligned spaced holes and a pair of parallel sideflanges, a supporting block for reversible selective positioning betweenthe side flanges of said channel member, said supporting block includingone face adapted for contact with the base of lsaid channel member and apair of sides disposed adjacent said flanges to precluded rotarymovement of said block in said channel, an aperture extending throughsaid supporting block from front to rear thereof, a square nut-receivingrecess at one extremity of said aperture, a flared recess disposed atthe opposite extremity of said aperture, and anchoring means comprisinga nut and bolt, said bolt being received through said aperture and aselected hole in the base of said channel member, and said nut beingreceived in said square nut-receiving recess and contacting the sidesthereof to preclude itsrotation and releasably retain said supportingblock in desired position of adjustment in said U-shaped channel memberwhen said bolt is tightened.

3. A tray or shelf supporting structure comprising a vertically disposedU-shaped channel member including a at base portion provided with aseries of vertically aligned spaced holes and a pair of parallel sideanges, a supporting block for reversible selective positioning betweenthe side anges of said channel member, said supporting block includingone face adapted for contact with the base of said channel member and apair of sides disposed adjacent said flanges to precluded rotarymovement of said block in said channel, an aperture extending throughsaid supporting block from front to rear thereof, a nut receiving recessat one extremity of said aperture, and a ilared recess disposed at theopposite extremity of said aperture, anchoring means comprising athreaded member being received through said aperture and a selected holein the base portion of said channel, said threaded member having a headportion disposed in said ared recess in said supporting block, and a nutbeing received on said threaded member to releasably retain said channelmember and said supporting block in associated relationship when saidnut is tightened.

4. A tray or shelf supporting structure comprising a vertically disposedU-shaped channel member including a flat base portion provided with aseries of vertically aligned spaced holes and a pair of parallel sideanges, a. supporting block for reversible selective positioning betweenthe side anges of said channel member, said supporting block includingone face adapted for contact with the base of said channel member, apair of sides disposed adjacent the ilanges of said channel member, atop surface cooperating with said channel member to dene a compartmentto house a portion of a tray supporting bar or shelf to retain the sameagainst lateral movement, aperture extending through said supportingblock from front to rear thereof, a nut receiving recess at oneextremity of said aperture, and a flared recess disposed at the oppositeextremity of said aperture, and anchoring means being received throughsaid aperture and a selected hole in the base of said channel member forreleasably retaining said channel member and said supporting block inassociated relationship.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 568,039Pollard Sept. 22, 1896 1,343,327 Leven June 15, 1920 1,880,179 OnionsSept. 27, 1932 2,044,642 Slater June 16, 1936 2,104,831 Dauskardt Ian.11, 1938 2,236,044 Vanderveld et al Mar. 25, 1941 2,570,097 Carbary Oct.2, 1951

